His diagnosis had delayed the release of their 2011 album, "Hot Sauce Committee."

His diagnosis had delayed the release of their 2011 album, "Hot Sauce Committee."

Photo: AP

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He is survived by a wife and daughter.

He is survived by a wife and daughter.

Photo: AP

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Yauch also directed the Beastie Boys' rowdy music videos.

Yauch also directed the Beastie Boys' rowdy music videos.

Photo: Rob Kim / MCT

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He directed a remake of the "Fight for Your Right" video featuring the band played by Seth Rogen, Elijah Wood and Danny McBride.

He directed a remake of the "Fight for Your Right" video featuring the band played by Seth Rogen, Elijah Wood and Danny McBride.

Photo: Getty Images

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The group had won three Grammys and several awards from MTV for their music and music videos.

The group had won three Grammys and several awards from MTV for their music and music videos.

Photo: MICHAEL KITADA / KRT

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Mike Diamond, Adam Horowitz and Adam Yauch are photographed at the 2006 Sundance film festival, where they screened their documentary.

Mike Diamond, Adam Horowitz and Adam Yauch are photographed at the 2006 Sundance film festival, where they screened their documentary.

Photo: MARIO ANZUONI / REUTERS

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Their best known song is "Fight for Your Right to Party."

Their best known song is "Fight for Your Right to Party."

Photo: AP

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The trio came back with a new album in 2011, 25 years after their debut.

The trio came back with a new album in 2011, 25 years after their debut.

Photo: Capitol Records

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Capitol Records recently released a tribute record.

Capitol Records recently released a tribute record.

Photo: Capitol Records

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On their song "Paul Revere," he rapped, "Now my name is MCA. I got a license to kill."

On their song "Paul Revere," he rapped, "Now my name is MCA. I got a license to kill."

Photo: AP

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Adam Yauch of the "Beastie Boys" performs at the Virgin Festival in Baltimore, in this, Aug. 4, 2007, file photo.

Adam Yauch of the "Beastie Boys" performs at the Virgin Festival in Baltimore, in this, Aug. 4, 2007, file photo.

Photo: Jeff Christensen / AP

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Filmmaker and recording artist Adam Yauch

Filmmaker and recording artist Adam Yauch

Photo: Evan Agostini / Associated Press

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The Beastie Boys in 2006.

The Beastie Boys in 2006.

Photo: AARON HARRIS / AP

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In this July 26, 2006 file photo, Beastie Boys members Adam Yauch "MCA," right, Adam Horovitz "Adrock," center, and Mike Diamond "Mike D," pose for a photograph during an interview in Toronto. less

In this July 26, 2006 file photo, Beastie Boys members Adam Yauch "MCA," right, Adam Horovitz "Adrock," center, and Mike Diamond "Mike D," pose for a photograph during an interview in ... more

Photo: AARON HARRIS / AP

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Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch arrives for the world premiere of the new movie "Jackass 3D,"in New York in 2010.

Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch arrives for the world premiere of the new movie "Jackass 3D,"in New York in 2010.

Photo: Louis Lanzano / AP

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Beastie Boy Adam Yauch, known as MCA, dies

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Hip-hop pioneer and Beastie Boys icon Adam Yauch has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 47.

The rapper, also known as MCA, died on Friday, according to GlobalGrind.com (the website of hip hop mogul Russell Simmons).

Yauch was diagnosed with a tumor in his salivary gland in 2009 and underwent surgery and radiation therapy treatment. A Buddhist, he also adopted a strict vegan diet and turned to ancient Chinese medicines, including meditation, to help him beat the disease.

A Brooklyn, New York native, Yauch formed the Beastie Boys in 1978 with his high school friends Mike D, John Berry and Kate Schellenbach.

The group started out as a hardcore punk band, but later developed into a rap trio with Yauch and Mike D teaming up with pal Adam ‘Ad-Rock’ Horovitz and they landed their big break after working with a young Rick Rubin, who would sign them to his newly-formed Def Jam Recordings in 1984.

They released their debut album, Licensed to Ill, in 1986 and went on to make a further seven records, with their last, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two released last year (11).

The Beastie Boys won three Grammy Awards and scored nominations for hit songs like Check Your Head, Sabotage and Ch-Check It Out.

The rappers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio last month (Apr12), although Yauch had to sit out the ceremony and the accolade was accepted by Mike D and Ad-Rock.

Taking to the stage without his bandmate, Ad-Rock – alongside Mike D and longtime DJ sidekick Mixmaster Mike – read out a statement from Yauch, who thanked the Beastie Boys’ fans, writing, “This induction is as much ours as it is yours.”

Here’s “Fight for Your Right to Party,” for old times’ sake.

And more recently, the group released “Make Some Noise.” Yauch directed the video, filled with celeb appearances.